Door handle mounting



1934- D. MILLER 1,976,263

DOOR HANDLE MOUNT ING Filed Sept. 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 9, 1934. D. MILLER 1,976,263

DOOR HANDLEMOUNTING Filed Sept. 20. 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented @ct. Q, 1934 PAT.

noon HANDLE noon'rmo Dorr Miller, Detroit, Mich, assignor to The Dura Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application September 20, 1932, Serial No. 634,023

16 Claims.

This invention relates to handles for vehicle doors, such as automobiles, but more particularly to a so-called freeturning handle, which can be disconnected from its spindle to prevent turning of the spindle and opening of the door, and an object is to produce a handle mounting which is so constructed and arranged that by key-operated means, or other suitable instrumentality, the handle may be freed from its spindle so that it may rotate or turn relative to the spindle, the parts being so designed that the structure is sturdy and reliable, and can be inexpensively manufactured and assembled.

Other objects are to produce a free-turning handle assembly of the above type having the new and improved features of construction, arrangement and operation hereinafter described, and for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown on the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation on the line 11 of Figure 2 showing a handle assembly in accordance with this invention, with the parts locked, or in such position that the handle and spindle turn together;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional View on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure e is a View similar to Figure 2 showing the parts in unlocked position to enable the handle to turn independently of or free from the spindle;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the inner end portion of the spindle;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the key for securing the handle and spindle together;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional elevation on the line "l'! of Figure 8, showing a handle assembly having an alternate form of key;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional View on the line 88 of Figure 7, showing the key connecting the handle and spindle to enable these parts to turn together;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 showing the key out of spindle engaging position to enable the handle to rotate independently of the spindle;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the inner end portion of the spindle; and

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the key shown in Figures '7, 8 and 9.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises a handle it of any suitable or well known construction having a hub or extension 11. The hub 11 is provided with a bore, into which projects the inner end portion of a spindle 12. The inner end portion 13 of the spindle is round, but the outer end portion 14 is rectangular, and is suitably connected to a door lock (not shown) mounted in the door 15. Between the outside of the door and the hub 11 is a suitable escutcheon 16 of any desired construction.

The rounded portion 13 of the spindle 12 is provided with an annular groove 1'7, into which pins 18 extend, thereby securing the spindle to the hub 11 of the handle, permitting turning movements of one relative to the other, but preventing endwise movements of the handle.

Formed in the inner end portion 13 of the spindle 12 is a longitudinally extending elongate groove 19, and contiguous to the groove 19 is a cut-away portion 20, which leads from one edge of the groove and extends at an angle to the outer surface of the rounded portion 13. A longitudinally extending elongate groove 21 is also formed in the bore of the hub 11, and is (Jo-extensive with the groove 19, and contiguous to the groove 21 is a cut-away portion 22 forming a substantially V-shaped groove, which is somewhat deeper than the depth of the cut-away portion 20 on the spindle. As shown, particularly in Figure 3, the sides of the groove 21 taper outwardly from the bottom for the purpose hereinafter described.

In order to secure the handle and spindle to enable them to turn together, a key 23 is provided. In this instance the key consists of a metal stamping having a substantially flat body portion 2 on which are oppositely extending flanges 25 and 26 on the opposite sides thereof. The flange 25 is disposed in the groove 21, and

the flange 26 is adapted to extend into the groove 19 in the spindle 12. It will be noted on the drawings that the angle formed by the flange 25 with the body portion 24 is less acute than that formed by the flange 26 and the body portion. The construction is such that the key 23 can be rocked about the outer edge of the flange 25 as a pivot to swing the body 24 and flange 26 into the cut-away portion 22 of the hub 11, in which position the handle is free to turn relative to the spindle 12, or to swing the flange 26 into the groove 19 with the body 24 engaging the inclined bottom of the cut-away portion 20. When the key is in the latter position, the handle and spindle are secured together and turn as one part.

It is apparent that the flanges 25 and 26 of the key 23 engage the sides of the grooves 19 and 21 over a substantial area, and thereby provide a l sturdy and reliable connection. It is apparent from Figure 3 that turning force is imparted from the hub 11 to the outer surface or the flange 25, through the body 24 of the key to the spindle through the outer surface of the flange 26 and the adjacent wall of the groove 19. This provides a sizable area of contact between the two parts, which not only militates against possible breakage, but greatly enhances the strength and durability of the connection.

Key operated means are provided for rocking the key to and from operative position, and, for this purpose a head 27 is integrally connected with the body 24 of the key by a neck 28 and extends at approximately right angles. The head 27 overlies the inner end of the spindle 12, and is provided with a rectangular opening 29, into which extends an eccentric pin 30, which forms a part of a lock unit 31 operated by a key 32. The lock unit 31 may be of any suitable or desired construction, and is held against endwise movement by one or more pins 33 extending radially of the lock unit into an annular groove 34 of the hub 11. Since the form and construction of the lock unit 31 forms no part of the present invention, suifice it to say that movement of the key 32 in one direction imparts rocking movement to the eccentric pin to rock the key 23 in one direction, and turning movement of the key 32 in the opposite direction rocks. the key 23 in the opposite direction, thereby looking or unlocking the handle to the spindle.

In the alternate form of the invention shown in Figures 7 to 11, the key 23 comprises an elongate body having tapered side walls 35 and 36 and arcuately shaped inner and outer walls 37 and 38. The key is disposed in a longitudinal recess 39 in the hub 11 of the handle 10. Formed in the inner face 3'7 of the key is a longitudinally disposed groove 40, in the bottom of which is a J convex surface 41, and abutting against the con vex surface 41 is a leaf spring 42, which also bears against the bottom wall of the recess 39. To facilitate assembly of the key and spring, the lower end of the latter is formed with ahook 43,

"' which engages the adjacent end of the key 23 to enable the key and spring to be inserted as a unit into the recess 39 when the parts are assembled.

The spindle 14 is similar to the spindle 14 above described, except that the cut-away portion 44 in the inner end thereof is differently formed. The cut-away portion 44 provides a longitudinal abutment surface 45 and an outwardly inclined curved wall 46 against which the outer wall 38 of the key is adapted to abut when the key is in spindle-engaging position. It is apparent that the abutment surface 45 is of substantial length, and is engaged by the wall 36 of the key 23 when the latter assumes the angular position indicated in Figure 8.

The spring 42 urges the key 23 into spindle engaging position, as shown in Figure 8, at which time the handle and spindle are connected for rotation so that turning movements of the handle impart corresponding movements to the spindle 14 The convex surface 41 enables the key to rock relative to the spring 42 so that when the eccentric pin 30 of the lock unit 31 is moved into engagement with the curved surface 38 on the portion of the key projecting beyond the end I of the spindle, the latter is rocked or cammed into ing handle assembly, in which the key can be evases inexpensively manufactured, but which is so designed as to afford substantial contact area between the handle and the spindle, thereby greatly to enhance the strength of the assembly, which is positive in action, and which has a minimum number of parts.

It is to be understood that numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may: be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention, especially as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for connecting a handle to a spindle comprising means to hold said handle against endwise movement on said spindle, a key-operated lock unit on said handle and disposed substantially coaxial with said spindle, a pin on said unit adapted to be rocked thereby, a key for connecting the handle to the spindle, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle, and means on said key engageable by said pin for actuating the former from rocking movements of the latter.

2. A device for connecting a handle to a spindle comprising a hub on the handle, means for securing said spindle to said hub but enabling the latter to swing relative to said spindle, a keyoperated lock mounted in the opposite end of said hub and disposed substantially coaxial with said spindle, an eccentric pin on said lock and 105 adapted to be rocked thereby, a key having a portion engaging said hub and another portion engageable with said spindle upon rocking movement thereof, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle, 1 and means on said key engaging said pin whereby rocking movements of the pin are imparted to the key for connecting and disconnecting the hub and spindle.

3. A device for connecting a handle to a spindle comprising a key having oppositely extending flange portions, and actuating means on said key adjacent the outer end of said spindle, said handle and spindle being respectively recessed to receive said flange portions, and manually operated means engaging said actuating means for rocking said key for moving one of said flange portions into and out of the respective recess in said spindle.

4. A device for connecting a spindle and a 125 handle comprising a groove on said spindle, a cutaway portion adjacent the groove, and a groove on the handle and a cut-away portion contiguous to said handle groove, a key having a body portion and oppositely extending flange 130 portions for said grooves respectively, whereby said key is enabled to rock on one of said spindle and handle parts into and out of engagement with the other, and means for rocking said key.

5. A device for connecting a handle and a 135 spindle comprising a longitudinal groove in said spindle, a cut-away portion contiguous to said groove, a longitudinal groove in said handle adjacent the groove in said spindle, a cut-away portion contiguous to said handle groove, a key 140 having a body portion and oppositely extending longitudinally disposed flange portions on said body portion for said grooves respectively, said body portion being adapted to lie in one or the other of said cut-away portions, and key-operated means for rocking said key about one of said flange portions as a pivot.

6. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising {a longitudinal groove in said pindle, a cut-away portion contiguous to said operative position, a portion of said key being engageable by said rockable part thereby to move groove, a longitudinal groove in said handle adjacent said spindle groove, a relatively deep angular cut-away portion in said handle contiguous to said handle groove, a key comprising an elongate body adapted to lie in one or the other of said cut-away portions and oppositely extending flanges at the edges of said body disposed respectively in said grooves whereby rocking of said key about the flange in the handle groove as a pivot moves the other flange out of engagement with the spindle, an actuating head on said key, and means for rocking said head.

7. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising a longitudinal groove in said spindle, a cut-away portion contiguous to said groove, a longitudinal groove in said handle adjacent said spindle groove, a relatively deep angular cut-away portion in said handle contiguous to said handle groove, a key comprising an elongate body adapted to lie in one or the other of said cut-away portions and oppositely extending flanges at the edges of said body disposed respectively in said grooves whereby rocking of said key about the flange in the handle groove as a pivot moves the other flange out of engagement with the spindle, an apertured plate disposed at substantially right angles to said body and disposed adjacent the inner end of said spindle, and key-operated means for actuating said plate.

8. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising a longitudinal groove in said spindle, a cut-away portion contiguous to said groove, a longitudinal groove in said handle adjacent said spindle groove, a relatively deep angular cut-away portion in said handle contiguous to said handle groove, a key comprising an elongate body adapted to lie in one or the other of said cut-away portions and oppositely extending flanges at the edges of said body disposed respectively in said grooves whereby rocking of said key about the flange in the handle groove as a pivot moves the other flange out of engagement with the spindle, an apertured plate disposed at substantially right angles to said body and disposed adjacent the inner end of said spindle, and a lock unit in said handle substantially in alignment with said spindle and having an eccentric pin adapted to be rocked in the aperture in said plate for actuating said key.

9. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising a longitudinal recess in the spindle, a longitudinal recess in the handle, adjacent said spindle recess, means to hold said handle against endwise movement on said spindle, a lock unit mounted in said handle and having a rockable part, said lock unit being disposed substantially in cc-axial alignment with said spindle, and an elongate key in said handle recess and having a part rockable into said spindle reon said handle and having a rockable part, a key in one of said recesses and having a part movable into the other recess thereby to connect said handle and spindle for rotation, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle and means urging said key to the same out of operative position.

11. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising means for securing said handle against endwise movements relative to; said spindle, a locking device disposed substane tially coaxial with said spindle and having an eccentric pin rockable in the handle, akey having a portion disposed in said handle and another portion movable into engagement with said spindle, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle, a spring urging said last portion into spindle-engaging position, and a surface on said key engageable by said pin for rocking the former out of spindleengaging position.

12. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising an abutment on the spindle, a recess in the handle adjacent said abutment, a lock unit in said handle disposed substantially coaxial with said spindle and having a rockable part disposed therein, a key in said recess and movable to position a portion thereof in engagement with said abutment, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle spring means urging said key into abutment engaging position, and a cam surface on said key engageable by said rockable part for moving the same out of engagement with said abutment to permit turning movements of said handle relative to said spindle.

13. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising an abutment on the spindle,

a recess in the handle adjacent said abutment,

a lock unit in said handle disposed substantially coaxial with said spindle and having a rockable part disposed therein, a key adapted to lie wholly in said recess but rockable therein to move a portion into abutment engaging position, said key having a groove on the inner face thereof, a leaf spring in said groove for urging the key to abutment engaging position, and a cam surface on said key engageable by said rockable part for moving said key out of abutment engaging position said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle.

14. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising an abutment on the spindle,

a recess in the handle adjacent said abutment, a

lock unit in said handle disposed substantially coaxial with said spindle and having a rockable part disposed therein, a key adapted to lie wholly in said recess but rockable therein to move a portion into abutment engaging position, said key having a groove on the inner face thereof, a convex surface in said groove, a leaf spring in said groove engaging said convex surface for urging the key to abutment engaging position, and a cam surface on said key engageable by said rockable part for moving said key out of abutment engaging position said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle.

15. A device for connecting the handle and a spindle comprising a longitudinal recess in said spindle, a cut-away portion in said handle adjacent said spindle recess providing an abutment, a key comprising an elongate body adapted to lie in said recess and movable to assume an angular position with a portion thereof engaging said abutment, said key being rockable on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said spindle a groove in the rear face of said key, a convex surface in the bottom of said groove, a

leat'spring in said groove engaging said convex surface, a hook on the lower end of said spring engaging the adjacent. end of said key, and a lock unit in said handle substantially in alignment with said spindle and having a rockable part movable into engagement with said key for rocking the latter into said handle recess.

16. A device for connecting a handle and a spindle comprising a longitudinally elongate laterally disposed recess in the spindle, a longitudinally elongate laterally disposed recess in the handle adapted to substantially register with. 

